Though I never again will see the days where I would devour an entire stack of library books in one week, I have made diligent attempts over the past few years to ensure that I don’t neglect one of my favorite past times (I was terribly guilty of this neglect in my late teenage years and early twenties and I cannot tell you how much I regret the reading that I did not do at that time!)

Last year I challenged myself to read 50 books–which seems a rather paltry amount now that I have typed it out–nonetheless, I achieved that goal, and upped my number this year to 75! Now, to be perfectly honest, I include in this number comic books and graphic novels and slim volumes of poetry. But whatever. Reading is reading, I reckon.

So far I am at 48/75 which isn’t bad at all, although I think I can do better. I’m certainly working hard to diminish these countless stacks of newly accumulated books, at any rate.

My standout reads more than halfway into the year are:

The Etched City – languid, decadent, dark fantasy; gorgeous but short on plot.Salt Is For Curing – witchy recipe/poems of curses & murder & bones & bodiesYurei – entertaining, engaging, and thoroughly enjoyable book about Japanese ghostsGeek Love – everyone knows this wildly marvelous, heartbreaking book, I won’t embarrass myself by synopsisizing itWylding Hall – ghosts, a haunted manse in a remote locale, and a British acid-folk bandA Head Ful of Ghosts -teenage madness and/or possession funtimesBluets – a poet’s memoir and brilliant investigation of/reflection upon the color blueMegg and Mogg in Amsterdam -further adventures of depressed, disgusting degeneratesMargaret the First – beautifully imagined story of Margaret Cavendish, the eccentric and wildly unconventional 17th-century Duchess.

Have you got a reading goal for yourself this year? Are you keeping up with it? And what have you enjoyed thus far? Do tell!

2 Comments on 48/75

For the last few years, my yearly goal has corresponded with the age I will turn that year. Perhaps it’s optimistic to think that I’ll read more every year rather than less, but one can hope. I’m trending a few books behind at the moment, but between book club, teaching, and reading plays and comics, I’m pretty sure I’ll get back on track. So far, this year’s MVPs are:

Unflattening, by Nick Sousanis
The Flick, by Annie Baker
The Years of Rice and Salt, by Kim Stanley Robinson
Atonement, by Ian McEwan
The Blackwater Lightship, by Colm Toibin
Constellations, by Nick Payne
The Bloody Chamber, by Angela Carter